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Craftspeople working in the traditions of rural Bolivian villages merge colonial-influenced designs with indigenous leatherworking skills to create this handsome bag. Working at a studio in La Paz, they hand-tool intricate designs into the thick, natural leather. One inside zip pocket and one flat pocket under the flap.

Please note: The artisan-tanned leather of our Bolivian Tooled Leather Bag may vary in color. Please see the alternate images above for examples.

I use the purse every day. I keep my glasses and cell phone in the external side pocket under the flap. The strap can be extended so it can be used as a cross...Read complete review

I use the purse every day. I keep my glasses and cell phone in the external side pocket under the flap. The strap can be extended so it can be used as a cross body which is how I use it. The workmanship and leather are top notch. It reminds me of a bag I had in the 1970 s that I loved too. I will buy more items from NG now that I see the quality of this bag.

VS

Most Liked Negative Review

Great bag! Beware of colour variations..

It really is a nice bag; well crafted and large enough to hold my everyday things without being too large. I'm 6ft tall and sometimes have a hard time finding bags with long enough...Read complete review

It really is a nice bag; well crafted and large enough to hold my everyday things without being too large. I'm 6ft tall and sometimes have a hard time finding bags with long enough straps - this one adjusts perfectly. My one disappointment was in the colour variation -- I expected some variations (it is hand crafted, after all) but some of the leather pieces in my bag were much lighter (more sand coloured), not the dark brown as pictured. It still looks very nice, but it wasn't the "look" I was expecting. I kept the bag since it does look good (the different coloured pieces work harmoniously; they are not patchy looking). I do really like the bag and use it everyday. I gave it 3 stars due to the colour variation.

I was very happy with this purchase. The craftsmanship is exceptional and it is extremely sturdy. I now use this as my go to purse for most days because I know it can take the wear and will actually look even better if slightly worn! Unless something catastrophic occurs, this bag will last a life-time and stay beautiful forever, as with most things of true quality. I lookedat several tooled bags and thought this one was very tastefully done....ornate but not too. Truly lovely.

Unlike some other reviewers, I encountered no offensive "chemical" smell. When I removed it from the shipping plastic, it smelled like good leather. It did need cleaning and conditioning, but I do this of all my leather goods. I expect this bag to last for years and will possibly be the last handbag I ever need to buy.

This product is not worth the money. It smells like oil, very nauseating. Also the leather is very stiff like you are carrying a saddle.

Was this a gift?:

Yes

Bottom LineNo, I would not recommend this to a friend

From National Geographic:We appreciate your feedback and are sorry to hear that this bag is not working out for you. Any odor usually disappears in a few days if the bag is allowed to air out. Other customers who have reported an odor found that it went away after they wiped down the bag with leather cleaner and polish and then stored the bag wrapped in wrapping tissue. However, if you prefer to return it for a refund or exchange, our customer service department at NGCatalog@ngs.org would be happy to help.

I use the purse every day. I keep my glasses and cell phone in the external side pocket under the flap. The strap can be extended so it can be used as a cross body which is how I use it. The workmanship and leather are top notch. It reminds me of a bag I had in the 1970 s that I loved too. I will buy more items from NG now that I see the quality of this bag.

Beautiful and well-made. You won't find a handbag like this at a department store. It looks like something you found during a treasure hunt from one of your travels. The color is darker than pictured, so expect some color variance. It has an adjustable strap that can be worn cross-bodied or on the shoulder. Yes, it does have a strong petroleum based odor, which I believe may be from finishing or dying agents. I couldn't wait to use it and didn't want to wait weeks or months for the odor to naturally air out, so I tackled the odor by wiping the entire bag down with leather cleaner and polish. I then stuffed and wrapped it with wrapping tissue, heavily spritzed with perfume, then stored it in a hat box for one week. The bag absorbed the scent from the perfume and I can no longer detect the original odor. Problem solved. I enjoy using my bag!